Job Hazard Analysis: Sidewalk and driveway flatwork

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

1. 1. Site setup, utility check, and subgrade prep

   • Struck by passing cars or the public walking into the work zoneHigh
     • Set cones, barricades, and caution tape around the work area before any work starts.
     • Keep trucks and tools out of the traffic lane; use a flagger if work blocks the street.
     • Wear a high-visibility vest when working near traffic.
   • Hitting buried gas, electric, or water lines while digging or driving stakesHigh
     • Call 811 and wait for utility marks before digging or driving stakes.
     • Hand dig near marked lines; do not drive stakes on top of paint marks.
   • Back strain and pinch points from shoveling, raking gravel, and running the plate compactorMedium
     • Use a skid steer or wheelbarrow to move base rock instead of carrying it.
     • Rotate shovel and compactor work every 30 minutes.
     • Wear hearing protection and steel-toe boots when running the plate compactor.

2. 2. Set forms and stakes

   • Struck hands or feet when driving stakes with a sledgehammerMedium
     • Use a stake holder or puller so no one holds the stake by hand while it is being struck.
     • Check the sledgehammer head is tight before use.
     • Wear safety glasses and work gloves.
   • Cuts and kickback from the circular saw when cutting form boardsMedium
     • Check the blade guard snaps back before each use; never pin it open.
     • Cut on sawhorses with the board supported; keep the cord away from the blade.
     • Plug into a GFCI-protected cord or outlet.
   • Tripping over stakes, string lines, and form boardsLow
     • Cut stakes flush with the top of the form and mark string lines with flagging.
     • Keep a clear walking path along the forms.

3. 3. Place rebar or wire mesh

   • Impalement or cuts on exposed rebar ends and stakesHigh
     • Cover all exposed rebar and steel stake ends with rebar caps or troughs before anyone works around them.
     • Bend tie wire ends down and away from walkways.
     • Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling mesh and rebar.
   • Mesh springing back or cuts while unrolling and cutting wire meshMedium
     • Use flat sheets of mesh instead of rolls when possible.
     • Stand on the end and have a second worker hold the roll while cutting with bolt cutters.
     • Wear safety glasses and cut-resistant gloves.

4. 4. Receive ready-mix truck and place concrete

   • Struck or run over by the backing ready-mix truckHigh
     • Assign one spotter who stays in the driver's mirror view and uses agreed hand signals.
     • Keep everyone else out of the path behind the truck while it backs up.
     • Check ground near forms and curbs can hold the truck; keep the truck off fresh edges and soft soil.
   • Struck by the swinging chute or pinched at chute jointsMedium
     • Only one worker guides the chute, using the handle, never by the joints.
     • Stay clear of the chute swing path when the driver moves it.
   • Cement burns to skin and eyes from wet concreteHigh
     • Keep clean water and an eyewash bottle at the pour.
     • Wash off any concrete on skin right away; change out of soaked clothes.
     • Wear waterproof gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots with pants tucked over the boot top.
   • Back and shoulder strain from raking, pulling concrete, and pushing wheelbarrowsMedium
     • Get the truck as close as possible or use a pump or buggy to cut down wheelbarrow trips.
     • Load wheelbarrows only half to two-thirds full and rotate jobs.

5. 5. Screed, float, edge, and finish

   • Knee, back, and wrist strain from kneeboards and hand trowelingMedium
     • Use a bull float and long-handled tools to finish from outside the slab when possible.
     • Switch hand-finish work between crew members.
     • Wear knee pads and waterproof gloves.
   • Bull float handle contacting overhead power linesHigh
     • Look up before adding float handle sections; keep handles at least 10 ft from overhead lines.
     • Use non-conductive fiberglass handles.
   • Heat illness during long pours in sunHigh
     • Schedule pours for early morning in hot weather.
     • Provide cool water, shade, and rest breaks; give new workers time to get used to the heat.
     • Watch each other for dizziness, cramps, or confusion.

6. 6. Saw cut control joints

   • Breathing silica dust from cutting concreteHigh
     • Use a saw with a water feed and keep water flowing the whole cut; never dry cut.
     • Stand upwind and keep other workers away from the cutting area.
     • Wear a respirator when required by the company's silica plan, such as long cuts with a handheld saw.
   • Cuts and kickback from the concrete saw bladeHigh
     • Check the blade guard and blade condition before starting; use the right blade for green concrete.
     • Keep both hands on the saw and your body out of line with the blade.
   • Loud noise from gas-powered sawMedium
     • Keep workers not cutting away from the saw.
     • Wear earplugs or earmuffs while the saw is running.

7. 7. Apply curing compound or sealer

   • Skin, eye, and breathing irritation from curing compound or solvent sealerMedium
     • Use water-based curing compound when the job allows.
     • Read the label and safety data sheet before use; spray with the wind at your back.
     • Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses.
   • Fire from solvent-based sealerMedium
     • No smoking or open flames near sealer; keep containers closed and in the shade.
     • Keep a fire extinguisher on the truck.

8. 8. Strip forms, wash out, and clean up

   • Stepping on nails in stripped form boardsMedium
     • Pull or bend over nails as soon as boards are stripped.
     • Stack stripped forms in one spot out of walkways.
     • Wear boots with puncture-resistant soles.
   • Cement burns and eye splash during tool and chute washoutMedium
     • Wash out only in the designated washout area or container.
     • Wear safety glasses and waterproof gloves while washing out.
   • Back strain loading forms and tools onto trucksLow
     • Use two people for heavy steel forms and power trowels.
     • Lift with your legs and keep loads close to your body.